Fire-escape



(No Model.)

B. T. MGKEAN.

Fire Escape.

No. 236,605. Patented Jan. 11,1881.

NJETERS, PMOTOLITHOGRAFHER WASHINGTON. n C.

EDWVARD T. MCKEAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Fl RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,605, dated January 11, 1881.

Application filed October 20, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARDT. MOKEAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire-Escapes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the fire-escape embodying my invention. Fig.2 is a vertical section of the upper portion of the standard enlarged. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the lower portion of the standard and part of the base of the device. Fig. 4 is a top view of the base. Fig. 5is a front view of the chair.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to fire-escapes and it consists in the construction and combination of devices, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a crane formed of an arm, B, which is pivoted to a vertical piece, 0, having a stem, A, which is fitted in a socket at the upper end of the standard D, the arm B thus swinging on the piece 0, and the latter rotating on the standard. One end of the arm carries a swinging chair or basket, E, and the other end has connected to it a rope or chain, F, under the control of firemen or other parties.

G represents the base of the device, the same consisting of a piece, a, of tubular or other suitable material, to the sides of which, at or about the center thereof, are hinged pieces b, which may be set out from the piece a at a right angle to it or folded parallel with it. Projecting from the hinged end of each piece b is an eye, 0, which is adapted to enter an opening at the center of the piece a, the eye of one piece being above that of the other piece, and both eyes registering with an opening, d, formed vertically in the center of the piece a for the reception of a sliding bolt or stem, H, projecting downward from the bottom of the standard D.

In order to set up the crane the base G is extended by opening out the pieces I). The

standard D, in a horizontal position, has its (No model.)

socket 0 serving as a guide and abutment. The standard is then raised, and when in an upright position the bolt H drops into the opening (I and eyes 0 and prevents the folding of the base, after which guys or braces f, extending from the standard, are fastened to the arms or pieces of the base. The crane is thus reliably sustained, and may be moved from place to place in order to locate it most conveniently to the burning building or other place of service, the movement being facilitated by an arm or handle, J, which is passed horizontally through the standard at such height that it maybe pressed and lifted by the shoulders of the firemen, &c.

It is evident that by proper manipulation of the rope or chain F the basket or chairE may be elevated and projected into the window of the apartment to be reached. The person to be removed or rescued then occupies the chair. The arm is operated so as to swing the chair from the window and clear of the building, and the lowering of the chair is readily accomplished, the cord or chain F being duly controlled.

On the seat of the chair is formed a stop, K, which projects downwardly from its front end, the object of which is that when the chair is directed into the Window and lowered and rested on the sill the stop abuts against the inner side of the sill and acts as a safeguard for preventing outward movementof the chair while endeavors are being made to occupy it. The chair is also provided with a guard, L, consisting of a curved rod or bar attached at its ends to the arm-rests or back of the chair, or a piece of rope or other suitable elastic or flexible material attached at the same place. When the chair is located on the sill the person raises the guard and occupies the seat, the guard then lowering or being lowered in front of-the body of the occupant, and, if desired, extending under his arms and grasped by the hands. The chair is then raised from without, as has been stated, and the person lowered with safety.

When the device is to be taken down the guys or braces f are released from the base, the bolt is raised, and the standard with con nected parts lowered and removed from'the base. The arm or handle J is displaced and fitted in eyes g on the standard. The arm B, with swivel-piece O, is removed from the standard D, and the pieces I) of the base are folded against the piece a, thereof, and thus all parts are in condition to be conveyed to the place of storage, for which purpose a truck may be employed, or the base itself provided with a truck or Wheels.

In order to increase the height of the standard D other standards or pieces may be fitted thereto telescopically or by splicing, as desired.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

EDWD. T. MGKEAN.

Witnesses:

JoHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, W. F. KIROHER. 

